Remote Access Server for Multi-Vendor Set-Top Box Compatibility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in accessing and controlling multiple set-top boxes remotely due to compatibility issues between different interactive media guidance applications, requiring connection to multiple remote access servers, and a need for a system that can communicate with various types of set-top boxes regardless of vendor or model.
Innovation Solution
A general remote access service that uses a web server to enable communication with multiple user equipment devices from different vendors, maintaining a lookup table to cross-reference user requests with action requests in formats compatible with each device, allowing seamless scheduling and ordering of programs across various set-top boxes without requiring users to navigate away from their current webpage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a user connects to multiple remote access servers to access multiple set-top boxes from different vendors, then the user can access more set-top boxes, but the system complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a single remote access server that can serve multiple set-top boxes from different vendors through a unified interface. The server maintains compatibility with various interactive media guidance applications by translating user requests into device-specific formats, allowing one server to perform multiple functions across different device types without requiring separate connections for each device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a translation layer between the user's remote device and the set-top boxes. The remote access server acts as a mediator that receives standardized user requests and converts them into device-specific action request formats, enabling communication between diverse systems without requiring direct compatibility between each pair of devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a remote access server is designed to be compatible with multiple set-top box formats, then the versatility improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the server's functionality into distinct modules: a user interface layer for receiving requests, a translation layer for converting request formats, and device-specific interface layers for communicating with different set-top box types. This modular architecture allows the server to handle multiple device formats through organized, separable components rather than a monolithic complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by maintaining a lookup table that maps user-request parameters to device-specific action request parameters. Instead of implementing complex adaptive logic for each device type, the server transforms request parameters according to predefined mappings stored in the lookup table, simplifying the translation process while maintaining broad compatibility.
3Reliability
If users are required to navigate away from their current webpage to schedule programs, then the system can ensure proper program ordering, but the user convenience and time efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the remote access server to automatically handle program ordering and scheduling tasks without requiring user intervention or navigation to separate pages. The server processes program orders, manages recording schedules, and handles device-specific formatting automatically in the background, allowing users to simply select programs while maintaining reliable ordering through automated server-side processing.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for remotely scheduling for recording or ordering a program advertised on a web page of a website. A program advertisement is displayed on a user device. In response to a user's selection of the advertisement, information is transmitted from the user device to a web server of the web page without navigating the user away from the website. The information includes information that identifies a user's equipment to a remote access server. A record request or an order request is transmitted by the web server to the remote access server. The remote access server cross-references the record or order request with an action request. The action request is transmitted to the user's television equipment to record or access the advertised program.